EARTH ARCHITECTURE

Did you know that early sections of the Great Wall of China were also made of rammed earth in the 3rd century BCE? 

The earliest evidence of mud brick construction dates even further back to 7500 years, found in the ancient city of Jericho, later in Mesopotamia and also in the Indus Valley Civilization.

Closer home at Hyderabad, all the buildings at Arbor Road Estate the award winning eco luxury resort, are made of compressed stabilised earth blocks.

These blocks were made manually on site by the local village boys with soil excavated for creating a large water body to harvest and store rain water. 

L to R: Pavilion, Room

The soil was tested at the Gramvidya lab in Bengaluru, where the experts advised a mix of river sand and soil with just 7% cement to compress blocks under 12 tons of pressure in a simple mechanical press made by Mrinmayee and cured for 3 weeks. 

Over the years, this simple brick factory was moved wherever a building was being constructed. Moving this ‘production factory’ instead of bricks themselves saves on time, effort and hence cost in transporting them and also ensuring that the edges remain undamaged.

A standard block measures 9” x 7” x 4” which is nearly double that of the common red bricks and is nearly 3 times the weight. These load bearing blocks have a high compressive strength and eliminate the need for RCC pillars and beams, especially in a low seismic zone as Hyderabad.  These blocks are also great insulators which helps keep their buildings cool.

ITS COOLER, COST EFFECTIVE RURAL TECH & GREENER FOR OUR PLANET TOO!

Production of the CSEB (compressed stabilized earth blocks) at Arbor Road Estate commenced in October of 2015 and over two lakh blocks were made to date.

The press comes with an assortment of moulds that can make half blocks, paver blocks, hollow ceiling blocks, rounded corner blocks and even some decorative blocks.

 Image details:

Top row

(L to R - Lintel block, Corner block)

Bottom row

(L to R - Standard block, Hollow block)

Demonstration of CSEB are regularly conducted for groups of 5 or more persons.  Visit their website www.arborestate.co.in or call on 90592 22612 to book a staycation or day visit. Follow them on Instagram & Facebook for latest updates and events.